Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-05-23

Robert Lincoln never forgot. He was young
then, and it came just In time Never, since
that day, has he been known to presume upon
his fathers fame, or make effort to profit or
gain personal importance or dignity on that
account When called into the cabinet by
President Garfield lie accepted, sensibly and
honorably; but in official as in private life he
has deported himself like man who desires
no honor or success, save that which comes to
him of his own right and on his own merits.
Moreover, he knows that what talk
there has been or may now be connecting
hi, name with the presidency may be at
tributed to the fact that he is Abraham Lin
coins son, and against this he most earnestly
and sincerely protests. He has no political
ambition, and is unable to feel grateful to
those mistaken friends who persist in the
mention of his name as among the presiden-
tial possibilities. ~
On the other hand, he displays none of that
supersensitiveness concerning the over
shadowing greatness of his father which some
sons of famous men are afflicted with. For in
stance, Stephen A. Douglas, Jr., who is now,
like Abraham Lincoln's son, practicing law
in Chicago, is almost morbidly sensitive on
this score. 81 can never be anything but
Stephen A. Douglas son; wish to God
who is brainier but less prosperous than Rob-
ert Lincoln; my name and my avoirdupois
have made me marked man. / wish could
get away from both of them" Yet young
Douglas worships his fathers memory with
even greater devotion than young Lincoln,
and is much more like the Little Giant" than
his fellow balrister is like cold Abe"
Robert Lincoln is a good business man, a
keen financier aud rather tenacious of his
rights and his money. He is more Of Todd
than Lincoln.
"There is one thing about him, though
which reminds me Of his father" says
Leonard SWEET, who was Abraham Lincoln's
law partner; she is rather amiable and
obliging and willing to let other people have
their own way up to certain point, but
every once in while he takes the bit in his
mouth without saying a word to anybody
and goes ahead quite contrary to the wishes
of the fellows who think they are driving.
The army people thought for time that they
were running the war department when he
was secretary, but it was not long before
they discovered their error"
Robert Lincoln has never held but one
Office in Chicago Some years ago gang OF
bad men obtained control of the township or
tax assessing and collecting office in central
Chicago. Property owners were eager to
effect reform, and in casting about for
good agent some one hit upon young Lin
coin, who, though only 25 and in practice but
a few years, had won an enviable reputation.
Against his wishes he was nominated and
elected, and during his term more than full
filed the expectations Of his admirers.
For the tender, manly and judicious man
ner in which he deported himself through the
Nr1na al 1f hi fosl
Lincoln deserves more credit than for any,
thing else he ever did. His was most I'M
enviable situation. Convinced on the one
hand that his mother was irresponsible and
hat some action was absolutely necessary,
md at the same time struggling against filiaI
Election, family pride and fear of adding
fuel to the flames of insanity which the shock
If the assassination had started, he knew
very well what his duty was, and yet found
It very hard duty to perform. Mrs. Lin
'on was then boarding in a Chicago hotel,
having $4,000 or $4,000 in United States
bonds and currency secreted in her clothing
Placing the matter in the hands Of his faith
er's friends-Judge David Davis and Leonard
Swett-the son endeavored to do the best
thing possible under the circumstances
his n~..er judiciaiiy declared insane and
placed under restraint. Mr.. SWEET and Judge
Davis found Robert most patient and tender,
and at the same time judicious and courage
GUS "In that trying time" says Mr..
SWEET, 1--WE almost leaned upon the
hoy instead of his leaning upon us,
md we always found his judgment
good and plans perfect" What an afternoon
young Lincoln must have passed when he
waited in a room near that In which Mr..
SWEET struggled for three long hours to in
duce Mrs Lincoln to go quietly to court with
out an escort of police! Across the street
stood two officers, to whom Mr. SWEET called
Mrs Lincoln's attention, saying: of you will
not go with me quietly must call those men,"
OF course the unfortunate woman flew into
passion, and declared that those who should
be her friends were trying to rob her of her
money aud liberty, but Mr.. SWEET persisted,
firmly but gently, until at last the widow
yielded. In the private room of the judge
there was another scene, and it was only after
another hours struggle that she was induced
to give up the bonds and money in her pos
session. Even then it was necessary to call
her attention to the fact that in the corridor
outside stood two women, commissioned by
the court to search her person.